Composition containing Poria cocos peel extract for treating neurodegenerative disorders

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a food composition for preventing or ameliorating degenerative neurological disease comprising  Poria cocos  peel extract for preventing, or treating neurodegenerative disorders.  Poria cocos  peel extract which is the active ingredients contained in the composition of the present invention, has a memory ameliorating activity through inhibiting of acetylcholine esterase and a neuroprotective effect and neuron protection by inhibiting the formation of beta amyloid and tau phosphorylation and promoting NGF production. Thus, the present invention may be useful as a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating degenerative neurological diseases, or as a health food for the above purpose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition comprising Poria cocospeel extract for preventing, improving or treating neurodegenerativedisorders.

RELATED ART

Degenerative neurological disease is a disease in which mental functionis deteriorated due to gradual structural and functional loss ofneurons. Degenerative neurological disease may be accompanied bysymptoms such as dementia, extrapyramidal abnormality, cerebellarabnormality, sensory disturbance, and movement disorder due to nervecell degeneration in specific areas of the nervous system. In addition,complex symptoms may occur due to multiple abnormalities at the sametime. The disease is diagnosed according to the clinical manifestationof the patient. However, the symptoms vary widely, and differentdiseases often have common clinical symptoms, making diagnosis difficult(Soc. Sci. Med. Vol. 40. No. 6, pp. 847-858, 1995).

In degenerative neurological diseases, the symptom of the disease slowlydevelops, and the disease is often caused by aging. The diseaseprogresses continuously for several years or decades until death, andthus increases the social burden. It has been known that geneticinfluences such as family history are very likely to be the cause of thedisease, but acquired factors also play an important role. Degenerativeneurological disorders can be classified according to their clinicalsymptoms, such as progressive dementia (Alzheimer's disease, etc.),neurological disorders (such as pick disease), posture and movementdisorders (such as Parkinson's disease), progressive ataxia, and sensoryand motor disorders (International Journal of Engineering andTechnology, Vol.2, No.4, August 2010 Classification of NeurodegenerativeDisorders Based on Major Risk Factors Employing Machine LearningTechniques).

Cytotoxicity of Aβ plaque and hyperphosphorylated tau tangle isattracting attention as a direct cause of Alzheimer's dementia, atypical degenerative brain disease.

Aβ is produced from the precursor APP and is produced outside the nervecell by the action of enzymes such as β-secretase and γ-secretase. WhenAβ concentrations are above a certain level, Aβ proteins bind to eachother and form insoluble senile plaques. This substance can causeinflammation and neurotoxicity and destroy peripheral nerve cells. Forexample, it is known that neuronal death and microgranulosis observed inpatients with Alzheimer's disease are associated with senile plaques. Invitro tests showed that Aβ peptide could induce activation of microglialcells (brain macrophages), which supports the hypothesis that Aβpeptides are cause of microencephalocytosis and brain inflammation foundin the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. To date, there hasbeen no widely accepted therapies or medicines that are expected todissolve or prevent the formation of deposits once Aβ is formed andsenile plaques are formed.

Tau consists of four parts: the N-terminal protruding portion, theproline aggregation domain, the microtubule binding domain and theC-terminal (Mandelkow et al., Acta. Neuropathol., 103, 26-35, 1996). Itplays a role in connecting the microtubules that form the physicalstructure of nerve cells. It is known that tau is abnormallyhyperphosphorylated or modified in the central nervous system neuronalcells to cause degenerative brain diseases such as tauopathy Alzheimer'sdisease, Picks disease, Frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linkedto chromosome 17 are typical tauopathies (Lee et al., Annu. Rev.Neurosci., 24, 1121-1159, 2001; Bergeron et al., J. Neuropathol. Exp.Neurol., 56, 726-734, 1997; Bugiani et al., J. Neuropathol. Exp.Neurol., 58, 667-677, 1999; Delacourte et al., Ann. Neurol., 43,193-204, 1998; Ittner and Gotz, Nat. Rev. Neurosci., 12, 65-72, 2011).

In the 1980s Alzheimer's study, neurotrophic factors were suggested tohave therapeutic potential for degenerative neurologicaldisorders(Nature. 1987 Sep. 3-9; 329(6134):65-8. Amelioration ofcholinergic neuron atrophy and spatial memory impairment in aged rats bynerve growth factor). Studies have shown that cholinergic neurons in thebasal forebrain, lost due to aging, which is known to be one of thecauses of Alzheimer's disease, are restored by administering nervegrowth factor (NGF) to the lateral ventricle, resulting in animprovement in memory capacity of experimental animals. So, studies havebeen continuing to treat degenerative neurological diseases usingneurotrophic factors. In a subsequent study, a study was carried out torestore motor nerve function by injecting Brain-derived neurotrophicfactor (BDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and ciliaryneurotrophic factor (CNTF), which are part of the neurotrophic factorfamily, into experimental animals that had impaired motor nerve functionby nodulating the facial nerve and sciatic nerve, and positive resultswere obtained (Nature. 1992 Dec. 24-31; 360(6406):757-9. Brain-derivedneurotrophic factor prevents the death of motoneurons in newborn ratsafter nerve section.). Furthermore, in the experiment using arecombinant mouse (wobbler) with a disease in which the number andfunction of motor neurons were gradually lost as aging progressed, thenumber of motor neurons was increased and the function was improved byadministering BDNF and CNTF to the mice (Science. 1994 Aug. 19;265(5175):1107-10. Arrest of motor neuron disease in wobbler miceco-treated with CNTF and BDNF). In addition to the above-mentionedstudies, it has been reported that neurotrophic factors improve memory,cognition, and behavioral disorders in experimental animals byincreasing the number and function of neurons in various sensory andmotor neuropathic models.

The scientific name of Bokryeong (

) is Poria cocos. Poria cocos is a plant of the class familyPolyporaceae, in the order Aphyllophorales, in the classEubasidiomycetes, Hymenomycetidae. Poria cocos is a kind of fungusbelonging to bacillus, a brown rot fungus, which is a kind of saprophyteorganism in the pine tree, but is also parasitic to the root of livingpine tree. Mycelium grows while branching as a white color, and hyphaestart to grow together. When the proper environmental conditions such astemperature and humidity are continued, hard lumps of sclerotia areformed. This is called bokryeong. According to the color of the inside,white is poria cocos wolf, rose pink is Jeokbokryeong. The outer shellof Poria cocos is called Poria cocos peel.

The main components of the Poria cocos are Parchymic acid (C₃₃H₅₂O₅),Pinicolic acid (C₃₀H₁₈O₃), 3β-Hyderoxy-lanosta-7.9(11), 24-Trien-21-oicacid and Tumulosic acid (C₃₁H₅₀O), Ebricoic acid (C₃₁H₅₀O₃), and thetriterpene poricoic acid and its derivatives have been reportedseparately in the Poria cocos and Poria cocos peel. It also containsergosterol, lecithin, adenine, choline, glucose, fructose and protein,and a large amount of inorganic substances, as well as purgiminic acid,evergreen acid, polytetanganic acid A and C and triterpenoids.

Poria cocos peel is sweet and the nature of Poria cocos peel is warm,and its taste and properties are all light, so it is said to be amedicinal substance with cool properties. In the past literature, it isdescribed that the Poria cocos peel can relieve thirst, discharge urinesmoothly, remove moisture, moderate body condition, enhance energy byharmonizing the function of digestive system, and improve circulation ofabdominal extravagated blood by smoothing the waist. It was mainly usedfor prescription related to memory. In recent articles, anti-diabeticand anticancer effects of Poria cocos ha peel have been reported (LingHui, Evaluation of the chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive potential oftriterpenoids from Poria cocos, Ling Hui, doctoral thesis of departmentof pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 2010).

Poria cocos peel is the outer shell of Poria cocos sclerotium belongingto the polyporaceae. It is known as a medicinal substance that has theeffect to moderate edema by releasing water. Especially, it containsabundantly lorostane-based triterpene poricoic acid, and Donguibogamstates that the Poria cocos peel is used as a component of Opisan(tangerine bark, arrecae pericarpium, ginger bark, morus alba bark)prescribed for edema. In recent studies, it has been reported that Poriacocos peel has therapeutic effects such as diuretic, urinarystimulation, edema reduction etc. (Triterpenes from the surface layer ofPoria cocos, Takaaki tai, Phytochem, vol. 39, no. 5,1995; Urinarymetabonomic study of the surface layer of Poria cocos as an effectivetreatment for chronic renal injury in rats, ying yong zhao et al,Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 148, no. 2, s2013).

With this background, the inventors have conducted studies to developmaterials for pharmaceutical composition and food compositions for theeffective prevention, improvement and treatment of degenerativeneurological diseases. As a result, the inventors of the presentinvention confirmed that these Poria cocos peel extracts exhibitsignificant memory recovery activity in a brain neuropathy model inducedby various brain injury or memory-inhibiting drugs during aneuropsychological activity study of the Poria cocos peel. In addition,the present inventors have completed the present invention by confirmingthat these Poria cocos peel extracts have been shown to inhibit theproduction of substances that cause neuronal cell death in the brain andto protect the nerve cells by promoting the expression of proteinspromoting neural cell regeneration and differentiation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The objective of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceuticalcomposition for preventing and treating degenerative neurologicaldiseases and a food composition for preventing and improvingdegenerative neurological diseases, which contains of Poria cocos peelextract as an active ingredient.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention providesa pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating of degenerativeneurological diseases, and a food composition for preventing andimproving of degenerative neurological diseases, which contain Poriacocos peel extract.

Advantageous Effect

According of the present invention, Poria cocos peel extract inhibitsthe production of amyloid-β (Abeta) and phosphorylation of tau, whichmay exhibit an effect of protecting nerve cells. In addition, itexhibits an effect of inhibiting acetylcholine esterase (AChE) toincrease nerve conduction and to mediate memory enhancing action.Therefore, Poria cocos peel extract can be effectively used for thedevelopment of pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treatingdegenerative neurological diseases including dementia or for thedevelopment of health food compositions for preventing and improving ofdegenerative neurological diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of a passive avoidance test in anexperimental animal model in which memory formation was inhibited byscopolamine after treating with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of the Y-maze task in anexperimental animal model in which memory formation was inhibited byscopolamine after treating with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the Novel object recognition(NOR) task in an experimental animal model in which memory formation wasinhibited by scopolamine after treating with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of the Y-maze task when Poriacocos peel extract was treated in an animal model in which beta amyloidwas infused into the brain to induce symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of a Novel object recognition task(NORT) when Poria cocos peel extract was treated in an animal model inwhich beta amyloid was infused into the brain to induce symptoms ofAlzheimer's dementia.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of neuronal cell staining whenPoria cocos peel extract was treated in an animal model in which betaamyloid was infused into the brain to induce Alzheimer's dementiasymptoms.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of beta amyloid measurement aftertreating the normal animal with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of measurement of NGF productionafter treating the normal animal with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 9 shows the result of measuring the AChE activity after treatingthe neural cell line SH-SY5Y with Poria cocos peel extract.

FIG. 10 shows the results of measuring the degree of apoptosis by MTTassay after treating the neural cell line SH-SY5Y with Poria cocos peelextract.

FIG. 11 shows the result of measuring the degree of phosphorylation oftau after treating the neural cell line SH-SY5Y with Poria cocos peelextract.

FIG. 12 shows the results of measuring the degree of NGF productionafter treating the neural cell line SH-SY5Y with Poria cocos peelextract.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition forpreventing or treating degenerative neurological diseases, comprisingPoria cocos peel extract as an active ingredient.

Poria cocos peel extract according to the present invention can beprovided according to a conventional method for preparing an herbalmedicine extract, but specifically means an extract obtained by usingwater, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol as a crude extract.The alcohol, which is one of the extraction solvents, may be, but is notlimited to, a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferablymethanol, ethanol, butanol or alcohol spirit, more preferably ethanol.Here, the alcohol spirit means ethanol produced by fermenting starch rawmaterial or saccharide raw material and distilling it. Furthermore, themixed solvent of water and alcohol is not particularly limited, and maybe mixed at any desired ratio.

In one embodiment of the present invention, Poria cocos peel extract maybe extracted with 60 to 80% (v/v) ethanol, 65 to 75 (v/v)% ethanol or 70(v/v) %, but is not limited thereto.

In a specific embodiment, Poria cocos peel extract of the presentinvention can be obtained as follows. First, the Poria cocos of thepresent invention are washed and dried, and then the dried herbalmedicines are cut to obtain the cut herbal medicine. And water in anamount of 1 to 20 (v/w) times, preferably 5 to 10 (v/w) times, 1 to 4carbon atoms lower alcohol or a mixture of water and lower alcoholhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 70 (v/v) % ethanol, is added tothe dried cut Poria cocos. The mixture is subjected to extraction at atemperature of 10° C. to 100° C., preferably at room temperature for 1to 72 hours, preferably for 48 hours by either cold extraction, hotwater extraction, ultrasonic extraction, reflux cooling extraction, heatextraction, supercritical extraction, extraction with hot waterextraction, preferably once by cold extraction, and concentrated underreduced pressure to produce Poria cocos peel extract.

The composition containing Poria cocos peel extract as an activeingredient according to the present invention can be used for thetreatment of degenerative neurological diseases. Accordingly, thepresent invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventingand treating degenerative neurological diseases, which comprises Poriacocos peel extract as an active ingredient, uses Poria cocos peelextract for the preparation of a therapeutic agent for degenerativeneurological diseases, and provides a method of treating degenerativeneurological disease by administering to a subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the Poria cocos peel extract.

As described above, the degenerative neurological disease according tothe present invention means a degenerative disease of mental functioncaused by gradual structural and functional loss of nerve cells(neurons). Specifically, it includes diseases selected from the groupconsisting of Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Guilin-Barre syndrome,Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, progressive dementia causedby gradual neuronal death and progressive ataxia.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceuticalcomposition for preventing and treating degenerative neurologicaldiseases may contain Poria cocos peel extract as an active ingredient atan amount of 0.01 to 90 parts by weight, 0.1 to 90 parts by weight, 1 to90 parts by weight, or 10 to 90 parts by weight of poria cocos .peelextract, based on 100 parts by weight of the total pharmaceuticalcomposition, but is not limited thereto, and may vary depending on thecondition, the type and progress of disease.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceuticalcomposition for preventing and treating degenerative neurologicaldiseases containing Poria cocos peel extract as an active ingredient maybe formulated into pharmaceutical preparations for the prevention andtreatment of degenerative neurological disorders, includingpharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients.

Examples of the carrier, excipient and diluent include lactose,dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol,starch, acacia rubber, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calciumsilicate, cellulose, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose,polyvinylpyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxybenzoate,propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oil.

Also, the composition of the present invention may be formulated intopharmaceutical compositions in the form of powders, granules, tablets,capsules, suspensions, emulsions, oral preparations such as syrups andaerosols, external preparations, suppositories or sterilized injectionsolutions. In general, in the case of formulation, it can be prepared byusing commonly used diluents such as a filler, an extender, a binder, awetting agent, a disintegrant, a surfactant, or an excipient. Solid formpreparations for oral administration include tablets, pills, powders,granules, capsules and the like, which may contain at least oneexcipient such as starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, lactose, gelatinand the like. In addition to simple excipients, lubricants such asmagnesium stearate and talc may also be used. Examples of liquidformulations for oral use include suspensions, solutions, emulsions andsyrups, and various excipients such as wetting agents, sweeteners,fragrances, preservatives, etc. in addition to commonly used simplediluents such as water and liquid paraffin. Formulations for parenteraladministration include sterilized aqueous solutions, non-aqueoussolutions, suspensions, emulsions, freeze-dried preparations andsuppositories. Examples of the suspending agent include propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, injectableester such as ethyl oleate, and the like. Examples of the suppositorybase include witepsol, macrogol, tween 61, cacao butter, laurinum, andglycerogelatin.

The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition for the prevention andtreatment of degenerative neurological diseases containing Poria cocospeel extract as an active ingredient of the present invention may varydepending on the age, sex, and body weight of the patient, Generally, anamount of 0.1 to 100 mg/kg, preferably 1 to 30 mg/kg, may beadministered once to several times per day. The dosage may also beincreased or decreased depending on the route of administration, degreeof disease, sex, body weight, age, health condition, diet,administration time, administration method, excretion rate and the like.Accordingly, the dose is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any way.

The pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment ofdegenerative neurological diseases containing Poria cocos peel extractof the present invention can be administered in various routes tomammals such as rats, mice, livestock, and humans. All modes ofadministration may be expected, for example, by oral, rectal orintravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intra-uterine dural orintracerebral injection.

The Poria cocos peel extracts of the present invention has littletoxicity and side effects, and therefore can be safely used forlong-term use for preventive purposes.

The present invention also provides a food composition comprising Poriacocos peel extract. Poria cocos peel extract inhibits the production ofsubstances causing neuronal cell death in the brain, promotes theexpression of proteins promoting neural cell regeneration anddifferentiation to protect nerve cells and can be effectively used forthe production of health functional food and general food which canexhibit the effect of preventing and improving neurodegenerativediseases in particular.

Specifically, the health functional food defined in the presentinvention is defined as “a health food which is on the list ofRegulations Regarding Health Functional Food Ingredients or Recognitionof Ingredients regulated in the Korea Food and Drug Administration'sNotice 2004-12 after having fully established functionality and safetyin the human body,” which was newly defined through the “Regulation onHealth Functional Foods in 2002”.

The food composition containing the extracts of Poria cocos peelaccording to the present invention can be used in various foods forsymptom relief of degenerative neurological diseases. Foods to which theherbal medicine extract of the present invention can be added arevarious foods such as beverages, gums, tea, vitamin complex, healthfunctional foods, and health functional beverages, and they can be usedin the form of pills, powders, granules, infusions, tablets, capsules orbeverages.

The amount of Poria cocos peel extract in the health food composition isgenerally 0.1 to 15 wt %, preferably 0.2 to 10 wt %, and in the case ofthe health beverage composition, 0.1 to 30 g, preferably 0.2 to 5 g,based on 100 mL, may be included.

When the food composition according to the present invention is preparedin a beverage form, there are no particular restrictions on the liquidingredients other than those containing the herbal extracts as essentialingredients in the proportions indicated. In addition, various flavoringagents or natural carbohydrates may be added as an additionalingredient, such as ordinary beverages.

Examples of the above-mentioned natural carbohydrates includemonosaccharides such as glucose and fructose; Disaccharides; such asmaltose, sucrose and the like, Polysaccharides; Dextrin, cyclodextrinand the like, or sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol anderythritol. As natural flavors other than those mentioned above, naturalflavoring agents (tautatin, stevia extract (e.g., rebaudioside A,glycyrrhizin etc.)) and synthetic flavors (saccharin, aspartame, etc.)can be advantageously used. The ratio of the natural carbohydrate isgenerally about 1 to 20 g, preferably about 5 to 12 g per 100 ml ofwhole health beverage composition.

In addition to the above description, the food composition of thepresent invention may further contain various additives such as variousnutrients, vitamins, minerals (electrolytes), flavorings such assynthetic flavors and natural flavors, colorants and thickeners (cheese,chocolate, etc.) pectic acid and its salts, alginic acid and its salts,protective colloid thickening agents, pH adjusting agents, stabilizers,preservatives, glycerin, alcohols, carbonating agents used in carbonateddrinks, and the like. In addition, the compositions of the presentinvention may contain natural fruit juice and pulp for the production offruit juice drinks and vegetable drinks. These components can be usedindependently or in combination. The ratio of such additives is notparticularly limited, but is generally selected in the range of 0 toabout 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total foodcomposition of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for preventing,improving or treating a degenerative neurological disease, comprisingadministering a composition containing an active ingredient of Poriacocos peel extract. Alternatively, the present invention provides a useof Poria cocos peel extract for preventing, improving or treating adegenerative neurological disease. The dose, dosage form, administrationmethod, etc. of the composition containing Poria cocos peel extracts forsuch method or use are as mentioned above.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to thefollowing examples and experiments. However, the following examples andexperiments are only to illustrate the present invention, and the scopeof the present invention is not limited thereto.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Poria cocos Peel Extract of the PresentInvention

Dried Poria cocos peel were purchased at a herbal medical store inKyungdong market and contaminants were removed and well-dried herbalmedicine was used for the experiment. Poria cocos peel cut in an amountof 100 g was mixed with 1 L distilled water (DW), 30, 50, 70, or 95(v/v) % aqueous ethanol solution and the mixture was kept at roomtemperature for 48 hours. After filtration, the mixture was concentratedunder reduced pressure, and then lyophilized to obtain Poria cocos peelextracts (crude extracts) to give Example 1 (See Table 1).

TABLE 1 Preparation of Poria cocos peel extracts according to thepresent invention Raw material amount (g) Poria cocos Solvent Amount ofExtraction Extraction peel selection solvent temperature time Product(g)Yield(%) Example 1 100 g DW 1 L Room 2 days 7.32 7.32 temperature 100 g30% EtOH 1 L Room 2 days 6.59 6.59 temperature 100 g 50% EtOH 1 L Room 2days 7.02 7.02 temperature 100 g 70% EtOH 1 L Room 2 days 6.93 6.93temperature 100 g 95% EtOH 1 L Room 2 days 5.43 5.43 temperature

EXAMPLE 1 Test of Memory Improvement and Nerve Cell Protection Effect ofPoria cocos Peel

<1-1>Preparation of Experimental Animals Scopolamine Induced MemoryImpairment

Six-week-old ICR mice were used for the experiment and each experimentalgroup consisted of 8 animals.

After 30 minutes of administering the Poria cocos peel extract andcomparative drug, 1 mg/kg scopolamine was intraperitoneally administered(i.p). Normal animals were injected with the same amount ofphysiological saline.

Behavioral studies were performed after 30 minutes of scopolamineadministration.

Aβ Infusion Model

Six-week-old ICR mice were used in the experiment. The animals wereanesthetized, fixed in a stereotaxic apparatus (Stoelting) and injectedwith 3 uL of vehicle (artificial CSF) or Aβ ₄₂ for 6 minutes using aHamilton micro syringe (fitted with a 26-gauge needle).

Animals treated with Aβ ₄₂ were randomly divided into experimentalgroups. From 2 days after administration of Aβ ₄₂, the experimental drugand the positive control drug (Donepezil) were administered once a dayfor 11 days.

The lyophilized drug, ethanol extracts of Poria cocos peel and controldrug were suspended in 3% HPMC aqueous solution, and all the drugs wereprepared on the day of the experiment.

Measurement of Protein in Brain

To examine the efficacy of Poria cocos peel extracts on the productionof nerve cell death inducer or substances involved in cell protection,six weeks old ICR mouse were administered Poria cocos peel extract andthe control drug for 5 days. On the 5th day 4 hours after theadministration, experimental animals were sacrificed and the brain wasseparated. The hippocampus region was separated and used for proteinanalysis. Protein assay was performed to quantify the total proteincontent in the sample. The measured values were expressed as themeasured value per unit protein.

<1-2 >Passive Avoidance Task

Passive avoidance experiments were performed in two independentlyseparated bright and dark square boxes. Bright areas (20×20×20 cm) wereilluminated with 50 W incandescent lamps. Light and dark areas (20×20×20cm) were spaced 1 cm apart and 2 mm stainless steel rods were installed.

In the habituation phase, the two sections were separated by aguillotine door (5×5 cm), and the guillotine door was opened after 30seconds after placing the experimental animals in the light section. Theanimals were allowed to freely navigate. When they reached the darkarea, the guillotine door was closed and the animals were taken outafter 3 seconds.

Acquisition trials were conducted 24 hours later. After 30 minutes ofdrug and control drug administration, 1 mg/kg of scopolamine wasintraperitoneally administered and 30 minutes later, the behavioralexperiment was performed. The experimental mice were initially placed inthe bright zone and the door between the zones was opened after 30seconds. When the experimental mice entered the dark area, theguillotine door was closed, an electrical foot shock was immediatelyapplied through a stainless steel rod for 2 seconds at 0.5 mA intensity,and the time for the experimental animals to enter the dark zone wasmeasured

After performing the acquisition trials and giving a 24-hour restperiod, the experimental animals were placed in a bright area formeasuring the retention trial and the time until entering the dark areawas measured. Both the acquisition trial and the retention trial wereperformed to determine the time taken for the mouse to enter all fourpaws in a dark room from a bright room.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that a significanteffect of improving spatial memory was obtained when Poria cocos peelethanol extracts of 0, 30, 50, 70, and 95 (v/v) % were orallyadministered. The most potent 70% ethanol extract of Poria cocos peelshowed similar efficacy to Donepezil (DPZ) 1 mg/kg, which is known asacetylcholinesterase inhibitor (FIG. 1).

<1-3 >Y-Maze Test

The Y-maze experiment was conducted to investigate the effect ofshort-term memory. The animals were placed on one arm of the Y-maze andallowed to move freely for 8 minutes. Spontaneous alternation and totalnumber of entries were measured. When the animals consecutively enteredinto three arms, they were defined as alternation entry, and the ratiowas calculated by the following equation 1.Spontaneous alternation ratio (%)=[(number of changes)/(total number ofarm entry −2)]×100  [Equation 1]

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the oral administration of ethanolextracts of 0, 30, 50, 70, and 95 (v/v) % Poria cocos peel at a dose of100 mg/kg resulted in improvement of spatial memory in thescopolamine-induced experimental animal model in which memory formationwas inhibited. And as shown in FIG. 4, spatial memory was also restoredin the Aβ₄₂—administered Alzheimer's dementia model (FIGS. 2 and 4).

<1-4 >Novel Object Recognition (NOR) Task

Inside a black box of 45 cm width, 45 cm length and 50 cm height, twoplastic objects of the same size but different shapes were placed. Theexperimental animals were allowed to move freely for 8 minutes and thetime spent on each object was measured (training session). 24 hourslater, the experimental animals were placed in a box with one familiarobject from the training session and one new object, and the time spentin each object was measured (test session). The recorded values werecalculated using the following equation (2), which is expressed as arecognition result of a new object.Recognition rate of new objects (%)=Time spent on new objects/(Timespent on new objects+Time spent on experienced objects)×100   [Equation2]

As shown in FIG. 3, when Poria cocos peel 0, 30, 50, 70, and 95% ethanolextracts at a dose of 100 mg/kg was orally administered, thescopolamine-induced experimental animal model in which memory formationwas inhibited showed cognitive memory improvement. As shown in FIG. 5,Alzheimer's dementia model due to administration of Aβ₄₂ also restoredcognitive memory (FIG. 3, 5).

<1-5 >Immunohistochemical Staining

For immunohistochemical staining, the Aβ infusion animal described inExperimental Example 1-1 was perfused with 1×PBS (phosphate bufferedsaline), fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, and brain was extracted. Thebrain was fixed in the same solution for one day and stored in a 30%sucrose solution and the solution was changed every two days untilfrozen at 4° C. After that, brain tissue was frozen sufficiently at −20°C. by dropping OCT (optimal cutting temperature) compound in a cryostat,and then made into a 30 μm thick section, and stored at 4° C. in apreservative solution. Immunohistochemical staining was performed withthe hippocampus region. The tissues washed with PBS were treated with 1%H₂O₂ for 15 minutes, After that, the tissues were treated with 0.05 MPBS, 1.5% normal goat serum, 0.5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin, 0.3% tritonX−100 and goat NeuN primary antibody (1: 500), and were reacted at 4° C.for 24 hours to prevent nonspecific reactions. After the primaryantibody was removed, the tissue was reacted with aperoxidase-conjugated secondary antibody (1: 200) for 90 minutes, andthe ABC was diluted in the buffer and allowed to react at roomtemperature for about 1 hour. After washing three times with PBS, thetissue was developed with 0.02% DAB and 0.01% H₂O₂ and subjected toethanol and xylene dehydration to prepare slide samples.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, when Poria cocos peel 0, 30, 50, 70,and 95 (v/v)% ethanol extracts at a dose of 100 mg/kg was orallyadministered, neurons (NeuN positive) decreased by beta amyloid toxicitywere significantly increased (FIG. 6). It was confirmed that Poria cocospeel extract has a protective effect on neuronal cells and can increasememory capacity.

<1-6 >Measurement of Aβ Production in Brain

ELISA experiments were conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect ofPoria cocos peel extracts on beta amyloid production, which is known tobe a major cause of Alzheimer's disease.

The brain of normal animals in Experimental Example <1-1>was extracted,and Ripa buffer was added and homogenized mechanically. Aftercentrifugation, the supernatant was taken and beta amyloid (IBL)concentration was measured. The amount of Aβ1340 expression in 1 mgprotein was measured.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the brain beta-amyloid concentrationwas significantly decreased when 100 mg/kg Poria cocos peel ethanolextract of 0, 30, 50, 70, 95 (v/v) (FIG. 7) was orally administered.From the above results, it was confirmed that Poria cocos peel extractremoved beta amyloid, which is a cause of Alzheimer's dementia.

<1-7 >NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) Level Measurement

ELISA experiments were conducted to confirm the efficacy of Poria cocospeel extract on NGF production, known to have a neuronal regenerationand differentiation activity. After the brains of normal animals inExperimental Example <1-1>were extracted, the hippocampal region wasseparated, and RIPA buffer was added thereto and mechanicallyhomogenized. For NGF measurement, a high salt high detergent buffercorresponding to the weight of each brain was added and mechanicallyhomogenized. After adding 10 uL of 4N HCl and allowing to stand for 15minutes, NGF bound to the receptor was dissociated, 4N NaOH was added,and the mixture was allowed to stand for another 15 minutes. Thesupernatant was taken by centrifugation and the NGF concentration in thebrain was measured using an NGF measurement kit (Millipore).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, NGF concentration in the brain wassignificantly decreased when 100 mg/kg of ethanol extracts of 0, 30, 50,70, and 95% was orally administered. These results suggest that Poriacocos peel extract promotes nerve cell protection by promoting NGFproduction.

EXAMPLE 2 Confirmation of in vitro Neuroblastoma Protective Effect ofPoria cocos Peel Extracts

<2-1 >Measurement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Activity in Nerve CellLines

Various acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors have been developed and usedbecause they enhance memory capacity and improve dementia by activatingcholinergic neurons by increasing the acetylcholine concentration in theganglion neurotransmitter. Acetyl cholinesterase activity was measuredto confirm the acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory effect of Poria cocospeel extract. SH-SY5Y cells, a neuronal cell line, were purchased fromKCLB (Korean Cell Line Bank). SH-SY5Y cells (1×10⁶ cells/well) wereinoculated on 6-well culture plates and cultured in DMEM/F12 (Dulbecco'smodified Eagle's medium) medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum for 48hours. After 5 days of differentiation using DMEM/F12 medium containing10 μM retinoic acid and 3% FBS, the cells were treated with Poria cocospeel extract (10, 100 μg/ml). Cell lysis was performed using RIPA buffer(150 mM NaCl, 0.5% Triton X-100, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 25 mM NaF, 20mM EGTA, 1 mM DTT, 1 mM Na₃VO₄, protease inhibitor cocktail), andprotein content was quantitated with BCA reagent purchased from Pierce.The acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity was determined by acetylcholineas a substrate according to the Ellman method. The resulting thiocholineproduced by acetyl cholinesterase was reacted with DTNB and theresulting 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate was determined by measuring theabsorbance change at 405 nm.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ethanol extracts of Poriacocos peel 0, 30, 50, 70, 95 (v/v) % were administered to nerve celllines at a concentration of 10 μg/ml, Aβ₄₂—induced acetyl cholinesteraseactivity was restored to normal level (FIG. 9).

<2-2 >Cell Protection Effect in Nerve Cell Line

The cytoprotective effect of Poria cocos peel extracts was measuredusing a MTT(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-DiphenyltetrazoliumBromide) assay in a model that causes toxicity to nerve cell lines bysubstance that artificially aggregates Aβ42. SH-SY5Y cells (1×104cells/well) were inoculated into 96-well culture plates and cultured inDMEM/F12 (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium: nutrient mixture F-12)containing 10% fetal bovine serum for 48 hours. After 5 days of DMEM/F12medium containing 10 μM retinoic acid and 3% FBS, the cells were treatedwith Poria cocos peel extract was treated at a concentration of 0.01,0.1, 1, 10, 100 or 200 μg/ml and left for 6 hours. Thereafter, Aβ₄₂ wastreated and cultured for a total of 48 hours. After 4 hours of treatmentwith 2 mg/ml MTT, Formazone was dissolved in DMSO and absorbance wasmeasured at 590 nm.

As shown in FIG. 10, Aβ₄₂—induced cytotoxicity decreased in aconcentration-dependent manner following administration of 10 μg/ml ofPoria cocos peel ethanol extracts of 0, 30, 50, 70, 95 (v/v) % ,and thenumber of cells increased (FIG. 10).

<2-3 >Measurement of Phosphorylated tau in Neuronal Cell Lines

Phosphorylated tau levels were measured in order to confirm theinhibitory effect of Poria cocos peel extracts on tauhyper-phosphorylation. SH-SY5Y cells (1×10⁶ cells/well) were seeded in6-well culture plates and cultured in DMEM/F12 (Dulbecco's modifiedEagle's medium) medium containing 10% FBS (fetal bovine serum) for 48hours. After 5 days of differentiation using DMEM/F12 medium containing10 μM retinoic acid and 3% FBS, after 6 hours of treatment with thePoria cocos peel extracts (10 or 100 ug/mL), Aβ42 was treated andcultured for a total of 48 hours. After cell lysis using RIPA buffer,the protein content was quantitated with BCA reagent purchased fromPierce. Phosphorylated tau was measured using human Tau [pS199]enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) KIT purchased from Invitrogen.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the neuronal cell lines were treated with 10ug/ml of Poria cocos peel ethanol extracts of 0, 30, 50, 70, 95 (v/v),tau phosphorylation induced by Aβ₄₂ was suppressed and regained tonormal level. Donepezil, which is widely used for dementia, arepresentative degenerative brain disease, did not show the inhibitoryeffect on tau phosphorylation (FIG. 11).

<2-4 >Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Level Measurement in Nerve Cell Lines

NGF levels were measured in order to determine the mechanism ofcognitive improvement of the Poria cocos peel extracts. SH-SY5Y cells(1×106 cells/well) were inoculated on 6-well culture plates and culturedin DMEM/F12 (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum for 48 hours. After 5 days of differentiation usingDMEM/F12 medium containing 10 μM retinoic acid and 3% FBS, the cellswere treated with Poria cocos peel extracts (10 or 100 ug/ml). Cellswere lysed using RIPA buffer, and protein content was quantitated withBCA reagent purchased from Pierce. NGF levels were measured using abeta-nerve growth factor human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)KIT purchased from Abcam.

As shown in FIG. 12, NGF production was significantly increased in theneuronal cell line treated with 10 ug/mL Poria cocos peel ethanolextracts of 0, 30, 50, 70, and 95% (v/v). Donepezil, which is widelyused for dementia, a typical degenerative brain disease, did not showNGF-related efficacy (FIG. 12).

As described above, Poria cocos peel extracts according to the presentinvention inhibit the onset or progress of the disease by inhibitingbeta amyloid production and tau phosphorylation, which causedegenerative brain diseases by causing neuronal cell death, and enhancesmemory ability by inhibiting acetylcholine esterase. It also promotesthe production of NGF, which promotes neuronal protection and neuraldifferentiation. Therefore, the invention can be usefully used forprevention, amelioration and treatment of progressive dementia due togradual killing of neurons in not only diseases such as Alzheimerdementia, but also Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease,multiple sclerosis, Guilin-Barre syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and LouGehrig's disease. It may also be useful for the prevention, ameliorationand treatment of degenerative neurological disorders including postureand movement disorders, progressive ataxia, muscular atrophy andweakness, and sensory and motor disorders.

Hereinafter, a preparation example of a composition containing the Poriacocos peel extracts of Example 1 of the present invention will bedescribed, but this is merely a detailed description of the presentinvention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Injections

Example 1 Extract 100 mg  Sodium Metabisulfite 3.0 mg Methylparaben 0.8mg Propylparaben 0.1 mg Sterilized distilled water for injection Properamount

The above ingredients were mixed and made into 2 ml by the conventionalinjection preparation method. After that, the mixture was filled in a 2ml ampoule and sterilized to prepare an injection.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Tablets

Example 1 Extract 200 mg Lactose 100 mg Starch 100 mg Magnesium stearateProper amount

The above components are mixed and tablets are prepared by tabletingaccording to the conventional tablet preparation method.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Capsules

Example 1 Extract 100 mg Lactose  50 mg Starch 100 mg Talc  2 mgMagnesium stearate Proper amount

The above components are mixed and filled in gelatin capsules accordingto the conventional preparation method of capsules to prepare capsules.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Liquid Agent

Example 1 Ethanol extract 1000 mg  Sugar 20 g High Fructose Corn 20 gLemon incense Proper amount After adding purified water, the totalliquid volume  100 mL

The above components were mixed according to the conventional method forproducing a liquid preparation, filled in 100 ml of a brown bottle andsterilized to prepare a liquid preparation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a degenerativeneurological disease in a subject in need thereof, comprisingadministering to the subject a composition containing an extract ofPoria cocos peel as an active ingredient; wherein the composition doesnot comprise Poria cocos wolf and Jeokbokryeong; wherein thedegenerative neurological disease is Alzheimer's disease.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the composition is capable of (i) improving spatialmemory, (ii) improving cognitive memory, (iii) protecting nerve cells,(iv) decreasing beta amyloid toxicity in neurons, (v) inhibiting theproduction of amyloid-β (Abeta), (vi) promoting nerve growth factorproduction, (vii) inhibiting acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity,(viii) decreasing Aβ₄₂-induced cytotoxicity, (ix) suppressing tauphosphorylation, or (x) any combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the Poria cocos peel is extracted with ethanol.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the extract of Poria cocos peel is in an amount offrom 10 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises asuitable carrier, excipient or diluent selected from the groupconsisting of lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol,erythritol, maltitol, starch, acacia gum, alginate, gelatin, calciumphosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose,microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water,methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate,and mineral oil.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition isadministered orally, intrarectally, intravenously, intramuscularly,subcutaneously, intra-uterine durally, or intracerebroventicularly. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered at a doseof 1.0 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises: (a) 100 mg of the extract; (b) 3.0 mg of sodiummetabisulfite; (c) 0.8 mg of methylparaben; and (d) 0.1 mg ofpropylparaben; wherein the composition is in an injectable form.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: (a) 200 mg of theextract; (b) 100 mg of lactose; (c) 100 mg of starch; and (d) apharmaceutically acceptable amount of magnesium stearate; wherein thecomposition is in a tablet form.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises: (a) 100 mg of the extract; (b) 50 mg of lactose;(c) 100 mg of starch; (d) 2 mg of talc; and (e) a pharmaceuticallyacceptable amount of magnesium stearate; wherein the composition is in acapsule form.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises: (a) 1000 mg of the extract; (b) 20 g of sugar; (c) 20 g ofhigh fructose corn; and (d) a pharmaceutically acceptable amount oflemon incense; wherein the composition is in a liquid form.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered orally. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein the Poria cocos peel is extracted with 60to 80 percent volume of ethanol/total volume of extract.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the Poria cocos peel is extracted with 70 percentvolume of ethanol/total volume of extract.